WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made remarks on the Senate floor Thursday honoring Kentuckian Martha J. Cassity for her military service to our nation and congratulating her on becoming the first female Veteran State Commander of the Kentucky VFW. On Saturday, June 14, she will be named to the post.

Senator McConnell’s remarks follow:

“Mr. President, I rise today to honor an exemplary citizen from my home state, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, who has devoted her life to service of our country. Martha J. Cassity is a veteran of the United States Army, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and this Saturday she will be named the first female Veteran State Commander of the Kentucky VFW. Her ascension to this new post is an accomplishment that I believe is deserving of the recognition and praise of the U.S. Senate.

“Martha was born on September 29, 1957, in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. She was raised there by her parents, Joan and Charles Blanford. While attending Western High School, Martha joined the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1974, thus beginning her life of devoted service to her country.

“The stated mission of the Ladies Auxiliary is to serve ‘the veterans of this country and our communities in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform.’ For nine years, Martha worked tirelessly to advance this mission, holding multiple chairmanships in the organization.

“Martha joined the U.S. Army in October of 1984 as a track vehicle repairer, and gave 10 years of honorable service to the Army, including postings in Germany and South Korea. She became eligible to join the VFW while stationed in South Korea, and she did so in 1991.

“Upon returning from South Korea, Martha was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where she was injured during her battalion’s preparations for Operation Desert Storm. She was honorably discharged in 1994. After leaving the Army, Martha earned her associate’s degree in Applied Science from Alabama Southern Community College. Although her days in the military were behind her, Martha’s service to America and to her fellow veterans would continue.

“Since 1999, Martha has been heavily involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She has held numerous chairmanships and chairs on the post and district level. She has served as VFW Post and District Commander.

“She has held chairmanships on the national level and has been on the National Women Veterans Committee for the past three years. She currently serves as Senior Vice Commander of the Kentucky VFW, and this Saturday she will be named the first female Veteran State Commander of the Kentucky VFW.

“We owe our veterans an unimaginable debt for their service to our country. In this new post, Martha will continue to serve her Nation by advocating on veterans’ behalf. Martha works to make real the VFW’s vision: ensuring that veterans are respected for their service, and recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of a grateful America.

“So today I ask that my Senate colleagues join me in recognizing Martha J. Cassity’s lifetime of service to our country and wishing her well in her new post as Veteran State Commander of the Kentucky VFW. She is a true friend to Kentucky’s veterans, to the Commonwealth, and to our country.”